The Russian government instituted a bunch of new regulations that caused all international adoption agencies operating throughout Russia to reapply for NGO status — which is their equivalent to our "non-profit" status — so all the agencies have had to jump thru lots of hoops to meet these new requirements. Those agencies whose annual accreditation expired anytime after May 17th are caught in a nasty loophole because they can't renew their accreditation until they first get past the updated NGO requirements.

(Reaccreditation has to occur each year, but it typically only causes about a 8-9 week delay, although this accreditation renewal loop is what held up Brad & Marsha for 5 months in the interim between their 1st & 2nd trips.)

Our notarized & apostilled paperwork arrived in Russia a week past the cutoff point — thanks entirely to the Texas state secretary's office dragging their heels precisely 1 day too long doing our apostilles — and that will cause us to be in limbo waiting on the NGO & accreditation renewal.

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